The AEGN has turned ten. To mark this momentous occasion we invite you to join us to share stories, catch up with friends old and new, be inspired by what environmental philanthropy has achieved and most importantly the role it can play in delivering our vision for a sustainable and environmentally just future.

I am excited to announce that US based Dr Gary Tabor will be joining us.  Gary is responsible for igniting the spark among a group of keen Australian funders that led to the establishment a local network for environmental philanthropists – the  AEGN!

AGM 5:00 – 6:00 PM

10 year anniversary 6:00 PM – 8.3 PM

Dr Gary Tabor has worked on large landscape conservation internationally for over 35 years with 12 years combined experience in Africa, South America and Australia and 12 years as a leader within the U.S. philanthropic community with the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the Henry P. Kendall Foundation, and finally the Yellowstone to Yukon Program Director for the Wilburforce Foundation. Gary is the founder of the Centre for Large Landscape Conservation

Join us for breakfast to hear Gary’s reflections on large landscape conservation work around the globe, his vision for the future and the role that philanthropy can play in making this a reality.

The AEGN is undertaking research to track how resources flow to different parts of the climate campaign.  So far we have surveyed over 170 climate organisations working across Australia. This information will inform the development of a new climate change funding framework and help individual members see their grantmaking in the ‘big picture’ of climate campaigning in Australia.

At this meeting members will discuss the research findings and, with support from movement experts, agree on conclusions that can be drawn from the data. This will include identifying issues or approaches which need more capacity. There will also be an opportunity for members to share their funding priorities with the group.

The meeting has been scheduled for the day after the AEGN 10^th birthday celebration, to maximise the number of people who can attend in person.

Hear from three US conservation and community development experts on how US foundations have creatively used mechanisms like grants, guarantees, loans, letters of credit and investments to support conservation and other projects. Between them, our guest presenters have been involved in the distribution of over $300 million of grants and program-related investments. This will be an informal session where our presenters share their experience and learnings, followed by questions and discussion.

The presenters:
Peter Stein, Managing Director of forestry conservation investment company Lyme Timber Company; co-founder of US Land Trust Alliance; co-founder of US Conservation Finance Network; advisor to foundations (including the Packard Foundation and Doris Duke Foundation) on their grant making and their program/mission-related investments.

Peter Howell, Executive Vice President of Open Space Institute which supports conservation directly through its own projects and through loans; oversaw the design and implementation of Doris Duke Foundation’s $100m national biodive)rsity conservation grantmaking program; and the Lila Wallace Reader’s Digest $20 million national urban parks initiative.

Lisa Cashdan – Ran The Upper Valley Community Foundation for 5 years; former senior philanthropic advisor and current Board member and Chair of the Nominating Committee at the Vermont Community Foundation.

More than ever before, people across the country are coming together to reverse global warming and restore nature. Time is running out to avoid dangerous climate change and prevent the next wave of extinctions. But momentum in the community is building and there is a vibrant environmental sector leading the movement for change.

Philanthropy can supercharge these efforts by building scale in key areas and supporting new ideas, bold gestures and new partnerships. We need to Ramp Up environmental funding – more dollars, to the most strategic areas, the best people and the smartest collaborations.